Electromagnetic actuator and control

An electromagnetic actuator (8) includes a stator assembly (12) mounted to a center pole (28) formed of material having high magnetic permeability and functions as a return path for the magnetic field generated when current is passed through coils (20,22) in the stator assembly. When current is applied to one or more coils within the stator assembly, a magnetic field is generated that interacts with a magnetic field generated by one or more magnets (32,34) disposed within the armature assembly (14) and causes the armature to move relative to the center pole thus, for example, opening or closing a valve.